The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday (27) that it reserves the right to respond to Japan’s plans to deploy missiles on an island off the coast of Taiwan, an area claimed by China, Moscow’s ally.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, “Japan, again under the influence of Washington, is constantly working to turn these territories into an operational area, supplying them with weapons that have not only defensive, but also offensive potential.”
She added: “We reserve the right to respond forcefully to the implementation of Japan’s specific plans in this area.”
This statement comes in response to the statements of Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi last Sunday (23). According to the politician, Tokyo’s plans to deploy a medium-range missile unit at a military base in the city of Yonaguni are “progressing steadily.”
The island is located in the Okinawa Archipelago, the westernmost point of Japan – and is only 110 kilometers from the eastern coast of Taiwan. Beijing considered these plans a deliberate attempt to “create regional tension and provoke a military confrontation,” according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, in a press conference the next day.
She said, “Right-wing forces in Japan… are leading Japan and the region to disaster.” “This step is very dangerous and should raise serious concerns among neighboring countries and the international community,” Mao continued, adding that Beijing is “determined and capable of protecting its national territorial sovereignty.”
The dispute occurs at a time when Asia is witnessing diplomatic tension. Three weeks ago, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaishi inaugurated one of the biggest crises in the region in years when she told her parliament that a Chinese armed operation against Taiwan that threatened Tokyo could justify sending troops to aid the island.
After the statement, which it reiterated last week, China repeatedly called on Tokyo to back down, summoned the Japanese ambassador, banned the import of seafood from the archipelago and advised its citizens not to travel to the country — which has already affected tourism.
Japan, in turn, recommended that its citizens in Chinese territory take additional safety precautions and avoid crowding.
The tension prompted US President Donald Trump to ask Takeyashi not to escalate the dispute with China further, according to people in the Japanese government with knowledge of the matter who spoke to Reuters news agency. Facing his declining popularity at home, the Republican is trying to maintain a fragile truce in the trade war with Beijing.
The request could have been made in a telephone conversation on Tuesday (25). Trump did not make specific demands to Takaishi, one of the officials said, suggesting he did not repeat the call for Beijing to back down.
11/28/2025 00:29:23